meaning of मंगल पाठ चत्तारि मंगलं अरिहंत्ता मंगलं सिद्दा मंगलं साहू मंगलं केवलिपण्णत्तो धम्मो मंगलं || चत्तारि लोगुत्तमा अरिहंत्ता लोगुत्तमा सिद्दा लोगुत्तमा साहू लोगुत्तमा केवलिपण्णत्तो धम्मो लोगुत्तमा || चत्तारि सरणं पव्वज्जामि अरिहंत्ता सरणं
Certainly! The मंगल पाठ or Chattari Mangalam is a highly revered prayer in Jainism, recited at the beginning of most Jain rituals, lectures, and auspicious occasions. It invokes auspiciousness and pays homage to the four supreme entities in Jain philosophy. Here is the meaning and explanation of each stanza:
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1. चत्तारि मंगलं...
चत्तारि मंगलं अरिहंत्ता मंगलं सिद्धा मंगलं साहू मंगलं केवलिपण्णत्तो धम्मो मंगलं ||
Meaning: There are four supreme auspicious entities:
- Arihant (अरिहंत) – The conquerors of inner passions and enlightened beings.
- Siddha (सिद्ध) – The liberated souls who have attained moksha.
- Sadhu (साधू) – The monks or ascetics who are practicing the path of liberation.
- Kevalipannatto Dhammo (केवलिपण्णत्तो धम्मो) – The pure teachings (Dharma) as propounded by the omniscient (Kevalin).
These four are considered supremely auspicious and worthy of reverence.
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2. चत्तारि लोगुत्तमा...
चत्तारि लोगुत्तमा अरिहंत्ता लोगुत्तमा सिद्धा लोगुत्तमा साहू लोगुत्तमा केवलिपण्णत्तो धम्मो लोगुत्तमा ||
Meaning: These four are also the supreme beings of the universe:
- Arihants are the supreme among those who are revered.
- Siddhas are the supreme among the liberated.
- Sadhus are the supreme among the practitioners.
- Dharma (as taught by Kevalins) is the supreme teaching.
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3. चत्तारि सरणं पव्वज्जामि...
चत्तारि सरणं पव्वज्जामि अरिहंत्ता सरणं पव्वज्जामि सिद्धा सरणं पव्वज्जामि साहू सरणं पव्वज्जामि केवलिपण्णत्तो धम्मो सरणं पव्वज्जामि ||
Meaning: I take refuge in these four:
- I take refuge in the Arihants.
- I take refuge in the Siddhas.
- I take refuge in the Sadhus.
- I take refuge in the Dharma propounded by the Kevalins.
This is an expression of seeking spiritual shelter and guidance from these supreme entities.
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4. Explanation of the last stanza (in Hindi):
अरिहंतों का शरणा सिद्धो का शरणा साधुओं का शरणा केवलिप्ररूपित दया धर्म का शरणा चार शरणा, दुर्गति हरणा और शरणा नहीं कोय, जो भवि प्राणी आदरे तो अजर अमर होय ॥
Meaning: Taking refuge in the Arihants, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Dharma taught by the Kevalins removes all miseries and leads to spiritual safety. There is no other refuge as supreme as these. Whoever, with devotion, seeks shelter in these four, becomes immortal (attains liberation), free from the cycle of birth and death.
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Summary
Chattari Mangalam is a prayer that:
- Salutes the four supreme beings/entities in Jainism.
- Declares them as the most auspicious and supreme.
- Expresses taking refuge in them for spiritual upliftment and liberation.
- Emphasizes that reverence and faith in these four lead to the ultimate good and liberation from worldly suffering.
Reciting this prayer is believed to bring auspiciousness, protection, and spiritual progress.